A number of stories exist as to how Butler discovered the ore. The most popular version is that Butler’s mule wandered away and when Butler found the ornery critter, he noticed an outcropping that appeared to be heavily laced with silver. Read more...

Historic Tonopah Gallery

Tonopah News & Media

News Release Contact: Senior Editor Stuart Rosebrook The legend goes that Tonopah was founded by happy accident in 1900 when Jim Butler, hunting for his burro, found an outcropping that eventually produced five million tons of silver ore. True or not, Tonopah is a place with a rich history and heritage. That is one reason […]